PRELIMINARY LIST OF THE MAMMALS OF NEW YORK 335 
Distribution in New Vork, The eastern prairie cottontail probably 
occurs throughout the western half of New York. ‘The only published 
record of its presence in the state rests however on two specimens from 
Peterboro, Madison co (Bangs, ’95, p. 406). The animal has undoubt- 
edly extended its eastward range very rapidly during the past 50 years 
as the clearing away of the heavy forests has increased the area suited to 
its needs (Miller, ’95a, p. 410). Mr Savage writes that cottontails are 
common near Buffalo. From measurements which he sends me of six 
specimens shot at Cherry creek, Chautauqua co. in January 1898, I 
think there can be no doubt that the form occurring there is Lepus flori- 
danus mearnst. 
Lepus americanus virginianus (Harlan) Southern varying hare 
1825 Lepus virginianus Harlan, Fauna Americana. p. 196. 
1842 Lepus americanus De Kay, Zoology of New York, Mammalia. p. 95. 
1877 [Lepus americanus| var. virginianus Allen, Monogr. N. Am. 
Rodentia. p. 307. 
1884 Lepus americanus Merriam, Linn. soc. New York. Trans. 2: 207. 
1884 Lepus americanus virginianus Merriam, Linn. soc. New York. 
(ramse 2): 201. 
1898 Lepus americanus virginianus Bangs, Biolog. soc. Washington. 
ROC Wel 710. ; 
1898 Lepus americanus virginianus Mearns, U. S. Nat. mus. Proc. 
Be sAlOn 
Type locality. Blue mountain of Pennsylvania. 
faunal position. ‘The southern varying hare is an inhabitant of the 
boreal zone, penetrating the limits of the transition zone in specially 
favorable localities only. ‘‘’That it has a weak held upon a place in the 
fauna of the transition zone is shown by the rapidity with which it dis- 
appears when the conditions that enabled it to exist there are slightly 
changed ” (Bangs, ’98, p. 81). 
Ffabhitat. Damp, cool woods and forests. 
Distribution in New York, This animal occurs throughout the 
northern part of the state, and in suitable isolated localities farther south 
where it has not yet been exterminated. It is one of the species whose 
range has been greatly restricted by the clearing away of the heavy forests. 
Principal records. De Kay: “It occurs in most parts of the state and 
is often called the white rabbit. In the winter the markets of New York 
are abundantly supplied with this species from the Kaaterskill and 
Shawangunk (Shongo) mountains” (’42, p. 96). Merriam: ‘“ The 
northern hare is found in greater or less abundance in most parts of the 
Adirondacks” (’84d, p. 207). Mearns: “This hare is abundant on the 
